As vehicle speed increases more HP is needed to push through air in addition to just hills and rolling resistance. The larger tires increase the torque load at any given speed and since these transmissions often break before they wear that needs to be a consideration. The added torque from the Zetec will also add to the problem. For the stock engine this increased loading becomes a problem as the engine can't turn fast enough to give the HP needed. 26.5 to 27" tires are really the limit for the stock drive line.

Dennis

-----Original Message----- From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of craig cowan Sent: Wednesday, October 12, 2011 10:50 PM To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM Subject: Re: Tires- 16" recommendations?

It's getting the zetec out of my '85 come early spring. It was already in the works and the syncro was coming off the road in 2 weeks anyway.

Anyway... back to the thread. Bigger tires AFFECT gearing but don't really change it. They just change where you shift. Not that big a deal. I dig them, even with the stock WBXer.

-Craig

On Wed, Oct 12, 2011 at 10:42 PM, Alistair Bell <albell@shaw.ca> wrote:

> Ouch, but now you get a new motor. Any hints on which way you want to go? > > alistair > > > On 2011-10-12, at 7:34 PM, craig cowan wrote: > > > Ya, i've been meaning to fix that post.... > > Rod escaped. > > > > : ) > > > > -Craig > >